The NBA has just announced that they are handing down a seven game suspension for the Lakers' Metta World Peace for elbowing the head of James Harden. The suspension will carry into the playoffs.

Metta World Peace Suspended for Seven | NBA.com

World Peace was charged with a flagrant-2 foul and ejected during the Thunder's game against the Lakers on Sunday. Harden was diagnosed with a concussion and is currently listed day-to-day.

Commissioner David Stern said in a statement:

"The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the head area...We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for players with a history of on-court altercations."

With a seven game suspension, Peace will miss the final Lakers game and could potentially miss six playoff games. Even though the game count seems low, because it carries into the playoffs it greatly hurts not only Peace but the entire Lakers team.

Peace, then known as Ron Artest, was involved in one of the most sordid moments in NBA history when he incited a brawl in Detroit against both players and fans, known infamously as the Malice at the Palace. He received an 86 game suspension as a result.